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BIOGRAPHICAL  SERIES  No.  4. 


5  1808. 


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WOMANS  BAPTIST  FOREIGN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY, 


OF  THE  W'EST. 


They  have  but  left  our  weary  ways 

To  live  in  memory  here,  in  heaven  by  love  and  praise.’ 


CHICAGO: 

James  Guii.bert,  Printer. 
\  885. 


1884.  S 

T 

! 


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BIOGRAPHICAL  SERIES  No.  4. 


1808. 


1884. 


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1? 


PATTISON  BINNEY. 


woman’s  baptist  foreign  missionary  society, 

OF  THE  WEST. 


“  They  have  but  left  our  weary  ways 
To  live  in  memory  here,  in  heaven  by  love  and  praise.” 


CHICAGO: 

James  Guilbkrt,  Printer. 

1885. 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2018  with  funding  from 
Columbia  University  Libraries 


https://archive.org/details/juliettepattisonOOunse 


•JULIETTE  PATTISON  BINNEY, 


“Thy  love 

Shall  chant  its  own  beatitudes, 

After  its  own  life-workings  ;  a  child  kiss 

Set  upon  thy  sighing  lips,  shall  make  thee  glad  ; 

A  poor  man  served  by  thee,  shall  make  thee  rich  ; 

A  sick  man  helped  by  thee,  shall  make  thee  strong ; 

Thou  shalt  be  served  thyself,  by  every  sense  of  service  which  thou  renderest.” 

“During  the  lifetime  of  our  Savior  it  was  the  privilege  of 
woman  to  minister  to  him  of  her  substance;  to  sit  at  his  feet 
and  hear  his  word;  to  weep  in  penitence  behind  him;  and, 
her  quick  perception  foreboding  the  last  dark  scene,  she  anointed 
him  beforehand  for  his  burial;  she  was  the  earliest  herald  of 
his  resurrection;  and  she  united  her  prayers  with  those  of  the 
disciples  for  the  descent  of  the  Holy  Spirit.  When  the  Jews 
in  every  city  raged  against  the  apostolic  missionaries,  it  was 
her  hand  that  extended  aid  to  the  persecuted  ones.  The  early 
centuries  of  the  church  witnessed  the  faithful  labors  of  woman 
for  Christ,  and  her  heroic  endurance  of  martyrdom  for  his 
sake;  and  the  present  day  shows  her  undiminished  consecra¬ 
tion  to  his  service.  There  can  be  no  doubt  that  whatever 
may  be  deemed  the  position  for  which  woman  is  fitted  in 
social  and  political  life,  in  work  for  the  Savior  she  has  a  place 
peculiarly  her  own.” 

Let  us  trust  that  the  contemplation  of  the  graces  and  femi- 
nent  services  of  one  of  these  saintly  women  may  inspire  a 


4 


sympathy  of  purpose  and  a  likeness  of  nature  in  those  who 
read  this  sketch,  and  that  this  example  of  a  consecrated  life 
may  kindle  to  a  brighter  glow,  their  piety  and  goodness. 

Tuliette  Pattison  was  the  daughter  of  Rev.  William  Rattison, 
pastor  of  the  Baptist  Church  at  West  Haven,  Vt.,  where  she 
was  born  Oct.  ist,  1808.  A  few  years  later  her  father  removed 
to  Western  New  York,  where  he  spent  the  remainder  of  his 
life.  In  this  n'ew  country  her  educational  advantages  were 
necessarily  limited;  however,  with  the  aid  of  her  father  and 
brothers,  she  was  enabled  to  prepare  herself  for  an  eminently 
successful  teacher  of  young  women  in  after  years. 

In  her  girlhood,  while  in  so  delicate  health  that  friends  and 
physician  thought  her  an  invalid  for  her  probably  brief  life, 
she  left  her  father’s  house  to  live  with  her  brother,  Rev.  R. 
E.  Pattison,  D.  D.,  then  pastor  of  the  First  Baptist  Church, 
Providence,  R.  I.,  who,  she  says,  was  not  only  a  very  dear 
brother,  but  also  sustained  an  almost  paternal  and  even  mater¬ 
nal  relation  to  her.  This  change  proved  of  great  benefit, 
although  she  suffered  from  homesickness  in  this  first  separa¬ 
tion  from  parents,  brothers  and  sister.  The  preaching  of  her 
brother  met  her  peculiar  need  and  she  was  the  first  fruit  of 
his  ministry  in  Providence,  where  he  baptized  her  and  gave 
her  the  hand  of  fellowship.  Henceforth  the  question  of  her 
loving  and  obedient  heart  was,  “  Lord,  what  wilt  thou  have 
me  to  do  ?  ” 

Soon  after  this  Miss  Pattison  became  associate  Principal  of 
Charlestown  Female  Seminary,  near  Boston,  Mass.,  which 
position  she  retained  until  the  year  1833,  w^en  she  became  the 
wife  of  Rev.  Joseph  G.  Binney,  then  pastor  of  the  Baptist 
Church  at  West  Boylston,  Mass. 


From  this  time,  until  their  last  parting,  the  “heart  of  her 
husband  safely  trusted  in  her,  and  she  did  him  good  all  the 
days  of  his  life.”  Her  strong  and  lovely  character,  uniform 
cheerfulness  and  calm  confidence  in  God,  fitted  her  to  be  most 
emphatically  a  helper  to  him;  while  her  charm  of  person  and 
manner,  her  natural  gifts,  her  training  as  a  teacher,  her  wis¬ 
dom  and  patience  as  an  adviser  and  friend,  gave  her  great 
power  and  influence  in  the  varied  positions  and  responsibilities 
to  which  she  was  called. 

Early  in  the  year  1843,  while  they  were  pleasantly  located 
in  Savannah,  Ga.,  with  hosts  of  admiring  and  loving  friends 
about  them,  Dr.  Binney  was  called  to  the  training  of  a  native 
ministry  among  the  Karens  of  Burma.  She  well  knew  that 
his  heart  had  been  filled  with  the  missionary  spirit  from  the 
time  of  his  conversion,  and  she  had  little  doubt  what  would 
seem  to  him  the  path  of  duty,  and  made  no  attempt  to  bias 
his  decision.  In  her  own  words,  “Little  was  said  to  each 
other  for  a  time,  but  much  was  told  to  Jesus.”  She  could  say 
with  her  noble  husband,  “I  had  long  since  settled  the  point 
never  to  prefer  a  place  of  comfort  to  one  of  usefulness.”  Ac¬ 
cordingly  the  first  day  of  July,  1843,  ^iey  left  tlieir  sorrowing 
church  a«l  friends  in  Savanna,  and  embarked  for  Boston,  to 
make  preparation  for  their  long  voyage  to  Burma.  On  the 
18th  of  the  following  November,  they  sailed  in  the  ship 
Charles,  and  arrived  at  Maulmain,  April  6th,  1844. 

Mrs.  Binney  was  so  impressed  with  the  degradation  and 
ignorance  of  this  people  for  whom  she  had  sacrificed  so  much, 
that  she  says  of  the  first  Christian  Karen  woman  she  ever 
saw,  “I  was  so  taken  by  surprise,  so  shocked  by  the  revelation 
that  this  was  a  fair  specimen  of  the  women  with  whom  I  was 


6 


to  live,  that  I  turned  from  her  in  disgust,  and  wept  convul¬ 
sively,  hitter  tears  of  regret  and  rebellion  at  first,  but  followed 
by  tears  of  shame  and  humility  that  I,  a  disciple  of  Him  who 
4  endured  the  cross,  despising  the  shame,’  for  such  as  these, 
should  possess  a  spirit  which  must  be  vastly  more  offensive  to 
Him  than  her  filth  and  nakedness  could  be  to  me.  Tt  then 
seemed  to  me,  that  this  redeemed  one  would  in  Heaven  wear 
a  brighter  crown,  and  a  more  dazzling  robe  than  I;  then,  I 
was  prepared  to  accept  my  husband’s  reminder  that  4  it  would 
he  a  sweet  privilege  to  help  in  the  elevation  of  these  women, 
who  were  degraded,  not  from  closing  their  eyes  to  the  Light 
of  Life,  but  because  the  first  rays  of  the  Gospel  had  scarcely 
fallen  upon  them  as  vet.’  ” 

In  after  years  Mrs.  Binney  had  especial  reasons  for  gratitude 
and  happiness  in  the  work  which  she  was  permitted  to  accom¬ 
plish  among  these  women,  who  seemed  at  first  so  unlovely 
and  unattractive. 

After  seven  months  spent  in  studying  the  Karen  language 
together,  they  went  to  a  Karen  village  in  the  jungle,  deter¬ 
mined  to  acquire  more  freedom  in  speaking  the  language 
which  they  could  at  this  time  read  and  write,  allowing  no  one 
to  accompany  them  who  could  speak  a  word  of  English. 
Mrs.  Binney  opened  a  little  school  and  with  the  help  ot  the 
children  and  domestics  was  soon  speaking  Karen  fluently. 

How  she  accomplished  so  much  and  excelled  in  so  many 
directions  is  explained  in  her  own  words  at  this  time:  44I 
find  myself  slowly  improving  in  the  ability  to  teach  and  talk 
with  the  people.  I  am  encouraged  to  think  that  time  and 
hard  work ,  will  make  me  at  home  in  this  language,  but  noth¬ 
ing  else  will  do  it;  it  will  not  come  to  one  by  ever  so  patient 
calling  and  waiting.” 


7 


The  next  year,  the  last  of  April,  1845,  Mrs.  Binney,  with 
her  husband,  went  to  their  new  home,  on  the  mission  premi¬ 
ses,  called  Newton,  a  short  distance  from  Maulmain.  Here 
they  labored  until  April,  1850,  when,  Mrs.  Binney’s  health 
failing,  they  sailed  for  America  via.  England,  on  the  ship 
Sutlej,  arriving  in  Boston  the  following  autumn.  They 
remained  in  this  country  eight  years,  when  Dr.  Binney  was 
reappointed  as  missionary  and  principal  of  the  Karen  Liter¬ 
ary  and  Theological  Institution.  Arriving  in  Rangoon,  May 
1859,  they  did  not  return  to  their  former  home  near  Maulmain, 
but  proceeded  to  a  new  location  near  Rangoon,  called  Kemen- 
dine,  accessible  by  boat.  Mrs.  Binney  was  in  many  ways 
severely  taxed  and  suffered  much  from  fever  and  other  ail¬ 
ments  for  four  years  after  going  to  Kemendine,  though  her 
naturally  elastic  temperament  kept  her  up  so  that  she  contin¬ 
ued  her  work.  But  one  morning  on  attempting  to  rise,  she 
found  one  of  her  limbs  useless  and  being  unable  to  move 
without  pain  she  was  compelled  to  keep  her  couch  for  a  long 
time.  After  fifteen  months  of  trial  of  all  that  could  be  done 
for  her  in  Burma,  it  was  decided  that  she  must  have  medical 
treatment  in  a  more  favorable  climate.  She  accordingly  left 
Burma  alone  May  9th,  1863.  Her  husband  joined  her  two 
years  later  in  Philadelphia,  and  remained  with  her  in  this 
country  eighteen  months,  when  they  returned  together  to 
Rangoon  by  the  overland  route,  arriving  in  December,  1866 
She  was  soon  instructing  a  class  of  promising  young  women 
and  a  year  later  became  her  husband’s  assistant  in  the  Sem¬ 
inary. 

With  her,  religious  instruction  ever  held  the  first  place;  but 
the  common  school  branches  were  also  taught  for  two  rea- 


8 


sons — to  arouse  the  dormant  faculties  of  these  people  wholly 
unaccustomed  to  reflection;  and  to  provide  them  with  the 
means  for  making  a  support  for  themselves  and  their  families, 
she  taught  them  a  little  English.  In  this  department  she  was 
a  pioneer,  virtually  standing  alone  for  years,  there  being  on 
the  part  of  many  of  the  missionaries  an  objection  to  the  intro¬ 
duction  of  English  into  the  mission  schools.  But  it  was  her 
conviction  as  well  as  that  of  Dr.  Binney,  that  for  natives  who 
must  seek  employment  at  the  hands  of  a  steadily  increasing 
English  community  a  knowledge  of  the  language  would  be 
of  a  great  value.  They  lived  to  see  English  taught  to  a 
greater  or  less  extent  in  all  the  mission  schools.  Mrs.  Binney 
was  so  completely  given  up  to  her  work,  that  one  who  was 
often  with  her,  says:  “She  was  never  free  from  natives  the 
day  through;  I  have  heard  her  say  that  she  could  not  take  a 
nap  by  herself;  if  she  succeeded  in  slipping  away  for  a  little 
while  and  falling  asleep,  in  all  probability  she  would  open  her 
eyes  on  a  group  of  native  women  sitting  on  the  floor  silently 
watching  her.  Her  loving  heart  could  not  look  upon  them 
in  the  light  of  intruders,  but  as  hungry  and  benighted  souls 
silently  begging  for  bread  or  waiting  for  the  light,  and  no 
matter  how  much  the  weary  flesh  rebelled,  she  must  rouse 
herself  to  minister  to  them.  This  constant  burden  of  souls, 
this  abiding  sense  of  responsibility,  wore  upon  mind  and  body 
vastly  more  than  the  labor  of  teaching.”  She  not  only  taught 
in  her  school,  but  she  visited  the  natives  in  their  houses 
and  tried  to  teach  them  what  Christian  homes  should  be. 

While  assisting  her  husband  in  the  Seminary,  she  prepared 
a  translation  of  Dr.  Cutter’s  Anatomy  and  Physiology,  of 
which  she  writes  a  friend,  May  4th,  1870: 


9 


“I  have  given  a  great  deal  of  time  to  this  translation.  I  think  I  should 
average  four  hours  daily  for  the  entire  year.  To  find  language  to  convey  so 
many  new  ideas  has  not  been  an  easy  task.  I  shall  teach  it  this  year  and 
make  corrections  and  improvements,  and  probably  rewrite  the  whole,  if  my 
life  and  health  are  spared.” 

April  4th,  1871,  she  writes  again  of  this  work: 

“I  call  it  a  translation,  but  is  is  also  adapted  to  the  wants  of  the  Karens. 
I  have  no  doubt  there  will  be  room  for  great  improvement,  but  I  think  no 
work  for  the  Karen  Christians  is  more  needed.  It  has  been  on  my  table  for 
two  years,  and  though  I  turn  to  it,  like  the  needle  to  the  pole,  I  assure  you 
it  is  pretty  difficult  to  do  a  work  like  this  in  the  snatches  of  time 
that  I  can  get.  If  I  should  never  complete  it  a  good  work  has  been  done  ; 
but  I  hope  to  see  it  in  the  hands  of  the  Karens.  Every  year  adds  some¬ 
thing  to  their  stock  of  knowledge;  they  are  eager,  hungering  and  thirsting 
for  scientific  knowledge,  at  least  those  who  have  tasted  of  it.  I  have  felt, 
my  dear  friend,  that  my  time  was  short,  and  my  work  had  all  been  teaching, 
so  that  when  I  was  gone  the  work  in  a  measure  was  done,  though  I  do  not 
think  exactly  that — any  labor  invested  in  a  human  soul  or  mind  is  secure  for 
time  and  eternity  too,  but  I  thought  this  book  would  do  good  when  I  was 
gone.” 

She  was  an  intelligent,  patient,  consecrated  worker,  and 
when  the  providence  of  God  called  her  even  to  drudgery  of 
work  for  her  dear  Karens  she  shrank  not  from  it,  but  made 
the  “drudgery  divine.”  With  all  these  arduous  and  varied  duties 
she  was  remarkable  for  her  uniform  cheerfulness,  the  secret 
of  which  was  her  unquestioning  faith.  As  one  has  said, 
“However  dark  the  way  appeared  she  never  doubted  that  it 
led  into  the  light.”  The  same  year  she  writes: 

“We  have  Dr.  Wade  with  us  now  which  adds  a  good  deal  to  my  care  and, 
also,  to  our  happiness.  He  is  a  very  dear,  good  man,  and  it  is  a  great  priv¬ 
ilege  to  enjoy  his  rich  conversation  and  his  fervent  prayers;  he  is  very  feeble 
but  he  works  at  his  translations.  He  is  now  at  work  on  his  Anglo- Karen 
Dictionary  and  I  think  gives  on  an  average  five  hours  of  good  work  daily, 


10 


and  his  ability  to  do  the  work  makes  it  more  than  ten  hours  of  almost  any 
other  man.  He  is  very  cheerful  and  happy  with  us,  and  I  really  feel  that  it 
is  doing  work  for  the  =  Lord  to  take  care  of  one  of  his  faithful  servants. 
How  different  every  common  service  seems  if  we  can  feel  it  is  for  Him  who 
gave  his  life  for  us.” 

Nov.  2d,  1872,  after  the  death  of  Dr.  Wade,  she  writes  a 
friend : 

“  Dr.  Wade’s  long  illness  was  a  great  tax  upon  our  strength  and  sympa¬ 
thies,  but  it  was,  also,  a  great  privilege  to  have  been  permitted  to  minister 
to  the  necessities  of  one  whom,  I  am  sure,  was  very  dear  to  Jesus;  whose 
whole  life  had  been  given  to  His  service,  and  we  felt  almost  as  if  we  were 
doing  unto  the  Lord  in  person.  When  he  left  us  I  was  almost  as  much 
emaciated  as  Dr.  Wade  himself,  and  I  expected  to  give  up  entirely,  but  so 
far  from  it  I  rested  a  few  days  and  felt  almost  well.” 

After  a  few  weeks,  however,  the  effects  of  this  severe  and 
long  continued  strain  were  apparent  and  she  was  brought  so 
low  that  there  was  very  little  hope  of  her  recovery;  but  her 
work  was  not  yet  accomplished  and  she  rallied  after  a  time* 
In  writing  of  this  period  to  a  friend  in  America,  she  says: 

“I  cannot  say  I  was  anxious.  Life  is  sweet,  and  so  is  Heaven,  and  I  was 
perfectly  satisfied  to  leave  the  decision  with  infinite  wisdom  and  love.  The 
Karens  offered  prayer  continually  for  restoring  mercy.  I  never  saw  more 
genuine  sympathy  or  grief.  I  trust  the  life  thus  spared  for  a  little,  will  be 
renewedly  and  wholly  given  back  to  Him  who  has  heard  prayer  and  granted 
our  requests.” 

When  Dr.  Wade  died  he  bequeathed  the  work  of  comple¬ 
ting  his  Anglo-Karen  Dictionary  to  Mrs.  Binney;  we  shall 
learn  later  how  faithfully  she  fulfilled  this  trust.  But  Mrs. 
Binney  was  not  able  to  immediately  resume  her  work,  and 
their  faithful  friend,  Wm.  Bucknell,  of  Philadelphia,  urged 
Dr.  Binney  to  come  at  once  with  Mrs.  Binney,  to  his 
home.  He  could  not  leave  his  work,  but  urged  by  her 


11 


husband  she  again  started  alone,  embarking  for  London  on 
her  way  to  America.  She  was  absent  but  eight  months 
and  then  returned  to  her  husband  and  to  her  work  in 
greatly  improved  health.  Under  the  pressure  of  heavy 
cares,  many  anxieties  and  severe  labors,  Dr.  Binney’s  health 
failed,  and  early  in  1876  they  embarked  for  Rome,  Italy, 
where  they  spent  nearly  three  months  in  cjuiet  lodgings; 
then,  after  a  short  time  in  Florence,  they  sailed  from  Leghorn, 
for  New  York,  stopping  at  many  interesting  places  in  Italy, 
Sicily  and  Spain,  and  reaching  this  country  May  23d,  1876. 
In  July,  1877,  Dr.  Binney,  with  improved  health,  decided  to 
return  to  Burma,  to  finish  his  missionary  work;  but  taking 
cold  in  Warsaw,  N.  Y.,  where  he  had  spent  the  summer,  in¬ 
flammatory  rheumatism  soon  developed.  As  soon  as  he  was 
partially  relieved  they  hastened  to  New  York  City,  two  weeks 
before  the  steamer  was  to  sail.  A  skillful  physician  did  all 
that  was  possible  for  his  recovery  and  much  was  hoped  from 
the  sea  voyage. 

On  the  arrival  of  the  steamer  at  Glasgow,  a  noted  physician 
thought  he  would  improve  rapidly  when  they  reached  the  lat¬ 
itude  of  milder  temperature;  so  they  sailed  from  Glasgow, 
but  the  hope  of  relief  was  not  realized  as  they  moved  south¬ 
ward,  and  on  the  morning  of  November  26th,  when  the 
steamer  was  in  the  Indian  Ocean,  about  600  miles  west  of  the 
Island  of  Ceylon,  he  resigned  his  spirit  into  the  hands  of 
Him  who  gave  it,  and  his  body  was  committed  to  the  bosom 
of  the  great  deep. 

Mrs.  Binney  writes:  “With  what  agony  I  did  so,  only  He 
who  knows  and  pities  us  in  all  our  sorrows  can  ever  under¬ 
stand.” 


12 


In  a  letter  written  a  month  later  to  a  friend  in  America,  she 
says: 

“Just  about  this  time  you  will  be  receiving  the  letters,  or  at  least  they  will 
receive  them  at  the  “Rooms,”  conveying  the  intelligence  that  we  arrived  in 
Rangoon  without  my  dear  husband.  The  friends  came  on  board  to  welcome 
us,  missionaries,  natives  and  others,  without  having  heard  a  word.  You 
will  imagine  it  was  a  trying  time  to  me;  letters  of  most  cordial  greeting  from 
the  out-stations  awaited  us.  The  house  was  all  ready  for  our  reception,  and 
Mr.  Binney  so  carefully  thought  of.  But  he  had  been  ten  days  in  Paradise, 
occupying  one  of  the  mansions  prepared  by  our  Savior.  We  both  anticipa¬ 
ted  this  some  days  before  the  event  and  it  was  in  no  ways  painful  to  him, 
and  I  thought  so  much  of  his  extreme  sufferings  every  moment,  and  of  the 
future  life,  that  I  gave  the  sea  no  thought,  but  when  it  actually  came  to  be 
done,  it  was  the  most  terrible  hour  of  my  life.  I  soon,  however,  came  to 
regard  it  differently,  and  it  now  seems  fitting  and  proper.  It  is  not  the  sea 
that  troubles  me.  It  will  as  surely  give  up  its  dead  as  will  the  graves.  He 
is  not  there  but  has  risen.  At  one  time  he  had  a  desire,  if  he  should  die  in 
America,  to  be  buried  with  his  fathers,  but  the  place  is  not  cared  for  now, 
and  he  was  pained  to  see  it.  I  was  anxious  to  reach  Rangoon,  after  I  saw 
he  could  not  be  with  me  long,  but  I  feel  happier  to  have  it  just  as  it  is;  there 
is  great  mercy  in  it  all.  I  look  back  with  grief  inexpressible  at  his  great  suffer¬ 
ing,  and  think  it  might  have  been  less  if  we  had  not  left  America.  But  he 
said  twice  to  me,  the  last  time  not  forty-eight  hours  before  he  left  me,  that 
he  had  never  regretted  for  a  moment  our  having  left.  He  was  sure  he  did 
right  in  offering  still  farther  service  to  the  Lord  in  Burma  ;  the  Lord  was 
not  spurning  the  offer,  but  He  had  no  need  of  it  and  would  give  him  higher 
service.  So  this  reconciles  me. 

My  husband  was  so  reluctant  to  have  me  leave  him  that  I  did  so  very 
little.  My  strength  held  out  to  the  last.  We  went  hand  in  hand  to  the 
very  gates  of  the  Celestial  City,  and  then  he  entered  in,  and  I  saw  him  no 
more,  ‘yet  a  little  while.’  I  often  think  of  those  words  of  Jesus,  ‘If  ye  love 
me  ye  will  rejoice  because  I  go  to  my  Father.’  ” 

Closing  her  account  of  his  last  illness  anti  burial  at  sea  writ¬ 
ten  to  his  sisters,  she  says: 


13 


“God  has  been  pleased  to  verify  his  promise  toward  me,  my  strength  has 
been  equal  to  my  day.  I  now  feel  as  if  life  will  be  very  desolate,  but  if  the 
Lord  has  anything  more  for  me  to  do,  He  will  give  me  strength  to  do  it.” 

December  8th,  the  Sabbath  following  their  arrival  in  Ran¬ 
goon,  Mrs.  Binney  sat  in  the  little  chapel  of  the  Karen  Theo¬ 
logical  Seminary,  which  her  sainted  husband  had  dedicated, 
and  in  which  he  had  preached  his  last  sermon,  to  listen  to  the 
Memorial  service  arranged  by  his  friends  and  co- workers. 


II 


“  Grief  should  be 
Like  joy,  majestic,  equable,  sedate; 

Confirming,  cleansing,  raising,  making  free  ; 

Strong  to  consume  small  troubles  ;  to  command 

Great  thoughts,  grave  thoughts,  thoughts  lasting  to  the  end.” 

And  now  Mrs.  Binney  being  in  her  seventieth  year,  is  it  not 
to  be  expected  that  she  will  return  to  her  native  land  for  well 
earned  rest  and  quiet  in  the  evening  of  her  days?  She  is 
urged  to  do  so,  and  has  means  to  choose  her  place  of  sojourn 
until  the  end  comes.  But  Rangoon  is  her  home;  here  her 
“best  friends  and  kindred  dwell.”  She  can  say  of  the  Karen 
Christians,  as  did  her  Master  of  his  disciples,  “He  that  doeth 
the  will  of  my  Father  which  is  in  Heaven,  the  same  is  my 
brother  and  sister  and  mother.”  She  did  not  say — the 
thought,  even,  seems  not  to  have  been  in  her  heart — “Now 
that  my  precious  husband  has  gone  from  me  I  have  nothing 
to  live  for,”  but  she  seems  rather  to  have  said,  “While  there 
is  one  poor  heathen  whom  I  may  help  to  the  knowledge  of 
the  true  God,  or  one  native  convert  to  whom  I  may  teach  His 
way  more  perfectly,  life  with  its  opportunities  for  service  is  a 
priceless  boon,  and  I  cannot  be  utterly  desolate.”  She  had 
lived  first  for  Christ,  then  for  her  husband;  Christ  and  his 
service  remain  to  her.  No  one  so  well  as  she,  could  finish  her 
husband’s  uncompleted  literary  work,  and  instruct  the  young 
disciples  she  had  gathered  about  her,  so,  controlling  her  grief, 
consulting  the  well  known  judgment  and  wishes  of  her  absent 


15 


loved  one,  and  leaning  on  an  unseen  but  almighty  arm,  she 
takes  up  both  accustomed  and  unaccustomed  duties. 

In  January,  187S,  she  writes: 

“I  am  quite  well  settled  now,  and  it  is  very  pleasant.  I  shall  commence 
correcting  the  ‘  proofs’  of  our  Anglo-Karen  Dictionary,  which  has  made  al¬ 
most  no  progress  since  we  left.  Time  is  short  with  me  and  what  I  do  must 
be  done  quickly.  The  College  is  prospering,  and  Mr.  Smith  is  doing  well 
with  the  Seminary.  All  this  would  have  given  my  precious  one  joy — it  does 
now,  perhaps.”  ~ 

Later,  she  writes  a  friend,  expressing  thanks  for  “tender 
sympathy  so  delicately  expressed,”  and  says: 

“  It  is  hard  to  miss  the  consciousness  of  being. first  to  some  one.  It  has 
been  very  hard  for  me  to  learn  to  keep  my  thoughts  and  feelings  whether 
joyful  or  trying,  to  myself,  and  very  hard  to  act  without  approval  or  advice, 
but  I  am  learning  to  bear  both  better.  I  certainly  tell  Jesus  more  and  man 
less  ;  then  the  knowledge  of  my  husband’s  views  and  practice  for  so  many 
years  seem  almost  like  a  present  influence  to  guide  and  comfort.  I  have  a 
rich  legacy  in  the  influence  which  the  companionship  of  almost  half  a  cen¬ 
tury  has  been  to  me.” 

Very  soon  members  of  the  Mission  Circle  in  Burma,  per¬ 
sonal  friends  of  Dr.  Binney,  and  men  prominent  in  the  work 
of  Theological  education  in  this  country,  of  his  own  and  other 
denominations,  urged  with  forcible  reasons  that  Dr.  Binney’s 
books  should  be  supplemented  by  his  Life,  which  the  educated 
Karens  might  read.  All  said  to  Mrs.  Binney:  “The  work  of 
preparing  this  Life  must  be  done  by  yourself.  In  no  way  can 
your  own  usefulness  be  so  increased.  In  no  way  can  you  so 
effectually  serve  the  Mission  Cause.”  She  undertook  her 
work,  “Twenty-six  Years  in  Burma,”  with  many  doubts  and 
misgivings;  but  day  by  day  these  diminished,  as  she  realized 
the  influence  that  would  go  out  from  such  a  character  and  life 
“even  imperfectly  delineated”  as  she  modestly  tells  us. 


16 


But  she  did  not  trust  her  own  judgment;  coming  to  this 
country  in  1880,  she  submitted  her  manuscript  to  Dr.  Mur¬ 
dock,  Secretary  of  the  Missionary  Union,  and  then  going  to 
Rochester,  N.  Y.,  to  Dr.  Osgood  of  the  Theological  Seminary, 
and  to  Dr.  Kendrick  of  the  University,  both  competent  literary 
critics,  who  had  known  Dr.  Binney.  What  they  said  to  her 
she  does  not  report.  But  their  praise  of  her  work  to  others 
was  unstinted,  and  with  reason.  Those  who  read  her  volume 
will  observe  that  good  sense,  cultivated  taste,  exquisite  wom¬ 
anly  instinct,  and  nice  spiritual  discernment  pervade  its  pages. 

Those  whose  privilege  it  was  to  meet  Mrs.  Binney,  when 
last  in  this  country,  and  in  missionary  gatherings  drew  close  to 
her,  that  they  might  not  lose  her  words  uttered  in  weakness 
and  with  feeble  voice,  surely  can  never  forget  the  impression  she 
made  of  gentle  womanliness  and  grace  of  “a  heart  at  leisure 
from  itself,”  and  a  life  hidden  with  Christ.  After  completing 
her  work  on  Dr.  Binney’s  Life,  she  returned  to  Rangoon  and 
resumed  her  work  on  the  Dictionary.  While  on  her  way  to 
Rangoon,  she  writes  from  Glasgow,  Nov.  3d,  1S80,  to  a  friend 
in  America: 

“  I  am  sure  you  and  the  ladies  associated  with  you  in  our  work — our  dear 
Master’s  work — and  therefore  ours,  will  be  glad  to  hear  of  my  safe  arrival  at 
this  our  first  station  on  the  way  to  Rangoon.  I  say  safe  arrival  because  dis¬ 
asters  have  been  so  frequent  of  late,  but  I  am  thankful  to  be  able  to  say 
that  the  passage  has  been  one  of  unusual  interest  and  pleasure.  We  have 
had  head  winds  and  have  been  eleven  days  from  port  to  port,  but  it  has  not 
been  tedious.  We  have  not  a  large  number  of  passengers,  but  were  favored 
with  the  presence  of  two  of  the  delegates  to  the  Pan  Presbyterian  Council, 
recently  held  in  Philadelphia.  Both  preached  for  us  on  each  of  the  two 
Sabbaths,  and  we  had  a  very  interesting  meeting  for  conference  and  prayer 
on  the  last  evening  on  board.  These  brought  all  true  Christians  very  close 
together,  and  gave  tone  to  the  social  pleasures  on  board,  while  no  undue 


17 


restraint  was  felt  by  any  one.  The  Captain  and  officers  without  exception 
were  courteous  and  obliging.  I  am  sure  you  will  be  suprised  to  learn  that 
even  I,  who  really  shrink  from  any  publicity,  yielded  to  the  earnest  and 
almost  unanimous  request  to  tell  them  of  our  work  in  Burma,  I  spoke  to 
them  a  half  hour  or  more,  in  a  social  way,  and  after  one  or  two  appropriate 
hymns  were  sung,  Dr.  Long,  of  the  established  church,  offered  a  prayer  for 
our  work — for  all  Christian  workers,  and  for  your  friend  in  particular  which 
thrilled  every  one  present.  The  Amarapoora  sails  on  the  13th.  I  will  have 
solemn  and  tender  memories  on  board.  They  crowd  upon  me  now,  but  I 
am  able  to  trust  Him  who  has  hitherto  been  so  abundantly  gracious.  I 
know  my  dear  sisters  will  remember  me  during  these  long  days  which  must 
intervene  between  Glasgow  and  Rangoon.” 

Rev.  S.  F.  Smith,  D.D.,  in  his  “Rambles  on  Mission  Fields,” 
writing'  from  Rangoon,  in  iS8i,-says:  “Mrs.  Binney,  whose 
admirable  memoir  of  her  noble  husband  has  been  recently 
published,  has  lately  returned  to  Burma,  and  is  employed  on 
her  Karen  Lexicon,  which,  with  praiseworthy  zeal,  she  hopes 
to  complete.  Her  work  will  be  of  great  utility  to  future  mis¬ 
sionaries.” 

In  writing  to  a  friend  of  this  work  in  1S79,  Mrs.  Binney 
says: 

“I  am  hard  at  work  and  sometimes  do  more  than  I  ought,  but  upon  the 
whole  I  look  upon  my  work  as  my  greatest  temporal  blessing.  I  am  getting 
on  at  present  very  well  with  the  Dictionary.  You  can  hardly  conceive  the 
pleasure  it  gives  me  to  see  the  demand  for  it.  There  are  many  copies 
already  sold  in  this  way;  as  fast  as  the  forms  are  struck  off  they  are  sent  to 
those  who  desire  them.  1  am  now  just  through  L.  This  last  revision  has 
made  large  additions.  It  will  be  very  far  from  perfect ,  but  it  will  be  very 
useful,  and  we  do  not  have  perfect  things  often  in  this  life.” 

May,  1882,  she  writes  Mrs.  Bacon,  the  Secretary  of  the 
Woman’s  Baptist  Missionary  Society  of  the  West,  which  had 
assumed  her  support  soon  after  the  death  of  her  husband: 


2 


18 


“Though  too  late,  I  fear,  for  the  Annual  Report,  I  beg  to  present  to  the 
Society  some  account  of  the  progress  of  the  work  in  which  I  am  engaged, 
viz. :  the  revision  of  the  Anglo-Karen  Dictionary  and  the  carrying  it  through 
the  press.  I  had  revised  the  whole  work,  both  Dr.  Wade’s  part  and  my 
own,  and  supposed  it  ready  to  be  printed  before  going  home  with  my  invalid 
husband  in  1875.  But  it  was  afterward  thought  best  to  make  additions  and 
improvements,  and  the  whole,  or  nearly  the  whole,  work  has  been  again 
revised.  The  printing  has  progressed  as  far  as  about  the  middle  of  the 
letter  S.  Last  January  I  made  an  estimate  of  the  remaining  portion  of  the 
manuscript,  and,  comparing  it  with  the  work  done  the  preceding  twelve 
months,  found  that  it  might  be  finished  by  the  end  of  December  next. 
This  was  on  the  supposition  that  the  work  at  the  press  was  uninterrupted, 
and  that  I  might  be  able  to  meet  its  daily  demands  as  I  had  done  the  pre¬ 
ceding  year.  Thus  far  I  have  not  failed  on  my  part,  but  owing  to  the 
sickness  of  the  best  Karen  compositor,  there  has  been  some  delay.  I  trust 
however  not  so  serious  a  delay,  but  the  time  may  be  redeemed.  I  need  not 
say  I  am  most  anxious  to  see  its  completion,  both  for  the  sake  of  those  who 
need  it  and  for  my  own  sake,  that  I  may  be  relieved  of  the  unremitted  and 
monotonous  labor,  and,  especially,  that  I  may  have  more  time  for  personal 
intercourse  with  the  people.  I  have  but  little  time  for  outside  work  now, 
though  the  women  living  near,  and  occasional  visitors,  come  to  me  for  a 
meeting  for  religious  conversation  and  prayer  once  a  week,  and  I  also  have 
an  Interesting  Bible  Class  on  Sabbath  mornings  in  the  Chapel  in  town.  I 
have  at  present  thirteen  young  ladies,  all  East  Indians.  I  take  the  drive  of 
two  miles  every  Sunday  morning  and  am  at  the  Chapel  at  7  o’clock  almost 
without  exception,  whatever  the  weather  may  be.  I  have  had  a  class  for 
a  good  many  years,  as  one  member  leaves,  usually  marriage  or  removal  from 
the  place  is  the  cause,  another  enters,  so  that  a  pretty  full  class  always 
remains.  How  much  good  I  am  doing  them  I  do  not  know.  I  have  reason 
to  believe  that  many  of  them  are  and  will  be  better  wives  and  mothers, 
thus  perpetuating  their  influence,  and  that  eternity  will  be  richer  and  happier 
for  most  of  them.  I  wish  I  could  do  more  for  them.  I  bring  them  to  my 
pleasant  home  now  and  then  for  a  cup  of  tea  and  a  better  acquaintance. 
That  I  have  their  love  and  confidence  I  have  abundant  evidence  ;  but  if 
I  do  not  lead  them  to  love  and  trust  Jesus,  I  shall  have  labored  in  vain.” 


19 


In  the  midst  of  her  arduous  labors  came  earnest  requests 
that  she  would  write  something  that  would  assist  the  Com¬ 
mittee  at  home,  in  their  efforts  to  awaken  an  interest  in  Mis¬ 
sions  among  the  young  ladies,  and  this  is  her  reply: 

“As  these  requests  came  to  me  my  first  feeling  was  that  I  was  doing  a 
great  work,  that  my  time  was  short,  that  I  could  not  be  interrupted,  that 
America  was  full  of  earnest,  able  women,  who  could  not  relieve  me  in  my 
work,  and  I  must  not  be  called  on  to  do  theirs,  but  as  we  do  not  now  have 
voices  from  heaven  or  other  miraculous  manifestations  to  show  us  our  duty, 
1  have  taken  these  repeated  requests,  as  indications  of  the  Master’s  will, 
showing  me  that  I  should  try  to  press  a  little  more  work  into  these  scorch¬ 
ing,  withering  days,  or  consent  to  let  my  present  work  linger  on  a  little 
longer,  while  I  pause  to  write  something  which  may  stimulate  and  encourage 
my  dear  young  sisters  in  every  place  where  my  testimony  has  been  sought 
or  where  it  may  be  likely  to  accomplish  the  desired  end — that  of  more  earn¬ 
est,  prayerful  effort  on  the  part  of  Christian  young  women  of  America,  in 
behalf  of  their  less  favored  sisters  across  the  seas.  I  would  not  have  them 
excited  to  this  simply  by  the  spirit  of  obedience,  but  also  by  faith,  strength¬ 
ened  by  a  knowledge  of  the  results  already  achieved,  as  an  army  needs  not 
only  confidence  in  the  cause  and  in  the  leaders,  but  in  the  hours  of  despon¬ 
dency  or  doubt,  the  shouts  of  conquest  from  distant  outposts  will  arouse 
the  waning  courage  and  lead  to  sterner  conflicts  and  to  surer  victory.” 

Ill  response  to  these  many  requests  she  wrote,  and  the  So¬ 
ciety  published  in  the  form  of  a  leaflet:  “What  has  Christi¬ 
anity  done  for  Karen  Women?”  Towards  the  close  of  her 
life  she  wrote  the  following  letter,  “To  Leaders  of  Young 
Ladies'  Circles,”  which  reveals  how  near  to  her  heart  this 
work  had  always  been: 

“My  dear  young  sisters.  Your  interest  in  the  Foreign  Missionary  So¬ 
ciety  entitles  me,  I  think,  to  call  you  that.  To  those  who  are  striving  to 
obey  the  last  command  of  our  Lord,  he  himself  has  recognized  the  en¬ 
dearing  relation.  “  He  that  doeth  the  will  of  Him  that  sent  me  the  same 
is  my  mother  and  sister  and  brother,”  so  that  by  virtue  of  our  relation  to 


20 


Him  we  are  emphatically  sisters  to  each  other.  I  feel  my  heart  wonderfully 
drawn  out  towards  you,  by  hearing  that  so  many  young  girls  have  banded 
together  to  aid  the  Woman’s  Society  of  the  West.  In  doing  this  Christ-like 
work  I  have  taken  you  all  into  my  heart  of  hearts  and  call  you  by  the  en¬ 
dearing  name  of  sister.  I  take  you  into  my  confidence  also  and  tell  you 
a  little  of  my  early  experience.  I  trust  you  will  not  deem  it  egotistical,  and 
it  will  show  you  why  my  heart  was  so  moved  by  learning  of  your  dawning 
interest  in  this  work.  When  I  was  about  the  age  of  some  of  the  older  of 
your  young  ladies,  I  was  associated  with  four  other  ladies  of  more  mature 
educational  and  religious  experience  as  teachers  in  the  Charlestown  Female 
Seminary,  Mass.,  an  institution  which  has  now  ceased  to  exist,  but  which 
was  then  in  a  flourishing  state.  When  I  entered  upon  this  work,  I  had  just 
taken  the  solemn  vows  of  consecration  by  baptism  upon  me,  and  I  felt  that 
I  could  not  do  enough  for  Him  who  had  done  so  much  for  me,  and  who  had 
so  distinguished  me  in  inclining  my  heart  to  His  service,  while  so  many  of 
my  young  friends  were  seeking  happiness  in  the  things  of  this  life  only. 
My  sense  of  responsibility  in  the  relation  I  sustained  toward  the  young 
ladies,  a  large  majority  of  whom  were  of  a  like  faith,  was  at  times  over¬ 
whelming.  I  had  asked  the  Lord  to  open  the  way  so  that  I  might  give  my¬ 
self  personally  to  work  among  the  heathen,  but  the  way  was  not  open  for 
young  ladies  to  go  abroad.  In  a  confidential  conversation  with  my  judi¬ 
cious  pastor,  I  had  confessed  this  desire,  and  he  had  set  my  mind  at  rest  by 
the  assurance  that  if  the  Lord  had  given  me  this  earnest  desire  He  would 
surely  grant  it  in  his  own  time  and  manner.  In  the  meantime,  he  advised 
me  to  accept  the  school  appointment  as  from  the  Lord,  and  to  labor  cheer¬ 
fully  in  the  way  which  He  seemed  to  indicate.  This  I  endeavored  to  do, 
and  such  was  the  blessing  of  the  Lord  upon  the  endeavor,  that  now,  so 
many  years  after,  I  am  permitted  to  feel  that  I  have  never  done  more  for  the 
Master,  than  he  enabled  me  to  do  during  those  three  years  in  that  Seminary. 
A  very  large  number  of  young  ladies  became  wives  of  missionaries,  home 
or  foreign,  or  of  pastors  of  churches,  and  their  influence  has  been  good 
everywhere.  They  have  ever  been  my  joy  and  crown,  and  to-day,  there 
exists  so  strong  an  affection,  whether  on  this  side  of  Jordan  or  on  the  other, 
where  so  many  have  already  entered  on  the  promised  possession,  that  the 
recalling  of  the  name  of  one  of  these  former  pupils  sends  a  thrill  of  yearn- 


21 


ing,  tender  joy,  through  every  fibre  of  my  heart.  Again,  a  few  years  later 
when,  as  their  pastor’s  wife,  I  formed  the  young  ladies  of  the  church  into  a 
Society  for  Personal  Improvement,  much  of  our  time,  when  together,  was 
spent  in  learning  the  geography  and  history  of  Foreign  Missions.  I 
thought  the  reflex  influence  would  justify  the  course.  Time  has  shown  that 
I  was  not  mistaken.  I  had  the  pleasure,  a  few  years  since,  of  attending  a 
Foreign  Missionary  Meeting  in  Chicago,  and  a  lady,  who,  in  these  days  of 
woman’s  work  for  woman  has  been  among  the  foremost,  stated  at  that  meet¬ 
ing  that  her  interest  in  Foreign  Missions  dated  back  to  her  girlhood  when 
her  pastor’s  wife  used  to  talk  and  read  about  them  to  a  little  circle  of  girls, 
who  met  semi-monthly  at  their  pastor’s  home.  She  also  said  she  was  sure 
that  would  be  the  testimony  of  others  of  that  circle.  I  do  not  wish  it  un¬ 
derstood  that  in  either  case  my  influence  brought  about  so  happy  results, 
but  that  in  connection  with  others  I  have  been  permitted  to  rejoice  with  ex¬ 
ceeding  joy  at  the  gathering  of  so  rich  a  harvest  from  such  simple  seed 
sowing.” 

It  will  not  be  out  of  place  here  to  quote  her  words  of  joy 
and  gratitude  at  the  results  of  her  teaching  the  Karen  girls. 

C->  O  c5 

She  writes  a  friend  on  the  arrival  in  Rangoon  of  Dr.  Boganau, 
a  native  Karen  who  had  been  educated  in  America: 

“Dr.  Boganau  is  already  becoming  a  little  initiated.  Last  evening  the 
Packers  invited  a  few  Karen  friends  to  meet  him  and  gave  them  tea,  cake, 
&c.  There  were  about  thirty  present.  The  teachers  of  the  Seminary  and 
of  the  College,  and  the  oldest  class  of  the  College,  with  a  few  families  liv¬ 
ing  in  the  neighborhood.  I  do  not  know  how  Boganau  was  impressed,  but  I 
was  really  myself  surprised  at  the  intelligent,  refined  company  we  had  to¬ 
gether,  at  the  manners  of  the  women  and  the  children,  for  several  of  them 
brought  their  children,  of  from  five  or  six  to  ten  years  to  speak  to  Dr. 
Boganau.  They  were  all  prettily  and  properly  dressed,  and  understood  what 
was  proper,  better  than  most  American  children  brought  together  in  that 
way,  and  with  a  few  exceptions  conversed  in  English.  Some  of  the  new 
missionaries  happened  in,  not  knowing  of  the  reception.  I  do  not  know 
what  they  expected,  but  I  know  that  in  1844,  when  we  were  first  introduced 
to  a  company  of  Karen  Christians,  I  was  so  repulsed  by  the  filth  and  igno- 


S 


22 


ranee  of  the  people,  especially  the  women,  with  their  scanty  clothing  and 
their  mouths  full  and  running  over  with  betel-nut,  that  I  just  went  to  my 
room  and  sobbed  and  wept.  Last  night  I  felt  like  weeping  tears  of  joy  and 
gratitude.  More  than  half  of  the  women  and  children  present  have  grown 
up  under  my  care,  more  or  less  ;  good  wives  and  mothers  were  present  as 
well  as  intelligent  men.  One  of  my  little  girls  has  married  recently  and 
she  is  placed  in  circumstances  of  wealth  and  luxury,  but  she  is  bring¬ 
ing  up  the  whole  family  to  a  higher  standard  of  Christian  living.  Her 
mother-in-law  was  with  her  last  night,  smiling  and  radiant,  so  proud  of  her 
daughter,  she  could  not  let  her  come  even  with  her  husband,  without  her 
for  fear  something  might  happen  to  her,  The  mother  of  this  young  girl 
was  with  me  in  1846  and  1S47,  in  Maulmain,  and  her  children  have  been 
well  brought  up.  So  the  circle  widens.” 

In  May,  1883,  she  writes: 

“My  life  is  very  monotonous  and  yet  not  dull.  I  never  make  any  greater 
change  than  to  take  a  drive  from  one  part  of  the  town  to  the  other.  I  us¬ 
ually  ask  some  one  to  drive  with  me,  and  in  that  way  do  a  good  deal  of 
visiting.  You  will  be  glad  to  hear  that  my  Dictionary  is  so  nearly  done  that 
the  pressure  is  removed,  the  copy  revised,  and  as  perfect  as  I  can  make  it, 
is  all  in  the  printers  hands.  I  think  I  told  you  that  I  am  interesting  myself 
a  good  deal  of  late  in  the  English  speaking  community  here.  While  I  have 
for  many  years  had  a  Bible  Class  on  Sunday  mornings  in  the  little  Baptist 
Chapel,  1  did  not  follow  the  pupils  to  their  homes  or  really  know  much  about 
their  home  life. 

Since  my  literary  work  has  not  been  pressing  me,  and  Mr.  Denchfield 
stood  ready  to  help  me  if  I  brought  him  enquirers,  I  have  taken  hold  of 
work  in  good  earnest,  and  feel  that  the  Lord  is  very  good  to  give  me  still 
something  to  do  for  Him.  I  have  the  names  of  sixteen  ladies  on  my  class 
roll  and  have  a  pretty  steady  attendance  of  twelve  every  Sabbath.  Only 
two  of  them  are  now  unbaptized.  One  of  them  has  been  converted  and 
asks  for  baptism.  She  has  met  with  great  opposition,  but  has  strong  and 
clear  convictions  of  duty  and  is  soon  to  be  baptized.  The  other  is  very 
seriously  desirous  to  know  her  duty.  I  have  never  had  so  interesting  a  class 
in  Rangoon.  Last  Sunday  morning  I  went  to  my  class,  not  expecting  to 
see  many,  if  any,  there,  as  it  was  well  known  that  I  had  been  shut  up 


23 


through  the  week  ;  but  when  I  entered,  the  little  space  alloted  to  my  class 
was  crowded,  and  they  all  looked  such  a  welcome  as  to  surprise  me.  I  ex¬ 
pressed  my  great  pleasure  at  meeting  them  as  I  feared  they  would  not  come, 
knowing  of  the  state  of  my  health  during  the  week.  ‘  We  were  afraid  you 
would  not  be  well  enough  to  come,  they  replied,  but  we  thought  if  we  came 
we  should  hear  from  you  through  Mr.  Phinney.’  So  you  see  I  have  some 
loving  young  friends  even  here  in  Burma.  We  have  our  International  Bible 
Lessons  from  your  Publication  Society;  our  papers  and  helps  are  just  the  same 
as  yours,  and  we  keep  just  three  months  behind  you.  Before  I  close  I  have 
just  room  to  tell  you  of  an  event  that  has  just  occurred  which  has  filled  many 
hearts  with  sadness  ;  mine  too,  but  not  unmingled  with  joy.  The  leading 
man  in  this  little  Baptist  Church,  a  deacon  of  considerable  means,  more 
than  any  other  man  in  the  church,  very  generally  respected,  and  well  known 
in  Rangoon,  having  been  harbor-master  for  some  years,  but  now  retired, 
died  this  morning,  after  an  illness  of  about  twenty-four  hours.  On  Satur¬ 
day  evening  he  was  at  the  church  meeting  active  and  cheerful;  about  five 
o’clock  Sunday  (yesterday)  morning  he  was  wakened  from  sleep  by  the  burst¬ 
ing  of  a  blood  vessel  in  the  stomach.  He  sent  for  the  Doctor  and  called 
his  family  around  him  and  told  them  that  his  summons  had  come.  The 
Doctor  at  his  request  told  them  freely  that  nothing  could  be  done  but  await 
the  sinking  of  his  strength,  the  exact  duration  of  which  no  one  could  tell. 
There  had  been  an  estrangement  in  the  family  on  account  of  the  marriage 
of  a  son  which  had  been  forbidden  by  the  mother;  he  brought  about  a  re¬ 
conciliation  there  and  spoke  most  cheerfully  of  his  bright  anticipations. 
His  mind  was  clear  and  strong,  and  his  faith  most  unwavering;  he  encour¬ 
aged  his  young  pastor  and  sent  messages  to  various  friends,  and  surrounded 
by  his  family  and  many  friends  he  asked  to  be  raised,  stretched  forth  his 
hands  and  said,  ‘May  the  Lord  bless  you  all,’  and  breathed  no  more. 

How  such  a  case  takes  away  the  terror  of  death.  I  am  so  glad  to-day  for 
this  dear  brother  that  I  cannot  think  much  of  the  loss  the  church  has  sus¬ 
tained.” 

A  month  later  she  writes: 

“It  is  a  great  comfort  to  me  that  the  Lord  has  given  me  something  to  do 
for  Him  which  is  so  congenial,  and  which  I  have  greatly  longed  for.  My 
Bible  Class  is  larger  than  I  have  room  to  accommodate  them,  and  in  going 


24 


to  their  homes  I  see  the  other  members  of  the  family  and  so  have  an  oppor¬ 
tunity  to  help  Mr.  Denchfield  a  little  in  his  efforts  for  them.  I  hope  to  be 
able  to  give  considerable  time  to  this  work  in  a  very  quiet  way,  just  as  any 
Christian  woman  might  do  at  home,  without  attracting  observation.  I  have 
a  pony  and  pheeton  and  I  can  slip  out  for  an  hour  or  two  early  in  the  morn¬ 
ing  or  late  in  the  afternoon,  and  by  doing  a  little  in  a  day,  visit  a  good  many 
families  in  a  month.  The  church,  though  small,  nearly  or  quite  pay  the  pas¬ 
tor’s  salary.  They  are  all  poor,  not  one  exception.  Mr.  Denchfield  is  mak¬ 
ing  preparations  to  commence  the  work  of  enlarging  the  church  at  the  close 
of  the  rains,  and  is  establishing  a  school  for  children.  You  will  see  that  as 
I  can  find  a  little  leisure,  the  work  will  open  up  more  and  more  and  it  is  a 
work  I  have  greatly  desired  to  do  more  of  before  ‘  going  home.’  I  should 
even  be  willing  to  be  detained  awhile  if  I  could  but  win  some  of  these  peo¬ 
ple  to  the  Savior.  I  have  no  reason  to  complain  of  my  health.  I  am  seldom 
really  ill  but  I  am  weary  all  the  time.  It  is  a  weary  climate.” 

In  Mrs.  Binney’s  last  report  to  the  Missionary  Society  of 
the  West,  she  says: 

“My  work  on  the  Anglo-Ivaren  Dictionary  still  lingers;  as  there  are  some 
changes  introduced  at  the  letter  E,  it  is  thought  best  to  revise  and  reprint 
the  first  four  letters,  comprising  one  hundred  and  seventy  pages.  I  have 
recently  prepared  two  small  books,  taken  from  Mr.  Binney’s  Systematic 
Theology  and  popularized  for  general  reading.  My  literary  work  for  the  Ka¬ 
rens  is  probably  done,  and  any  other  missionary  labor  can  hardly  be  expec¬ 
ted,  as  the  best  occulist  that  India  affords  gives  me  little  encouragement 
that  my  eyes  will  ever  be  better.  The  right  eye  is  hopelessly  gone  so  far  as 
any  practical  use  is  concerned,  it  looks  bright  and  well,  the  left  eye  is 
trembling  in  the  balance  and  I  am  forbidden  to  use  it  for  reading  or  writing. 

I  cheerfully  leave  it  with  my  heavenly  Father.  I  am  very  thankful  for  all 
lie  has  given  me  to  do  for  Him  in  the  past  and  for  his  loving  care  of  me 
now,  and  for  the  trust  I  am  able  to  exercise  in  his  future  dealings  with  me. 
Especially  am  I  thankful  for  the  bright  hope  he  gives  me  of  being  called  at 
no  distant  day  to  a  higher  and  holier  service  in  connection  with  the  loved 
ones  with  whom  it  has  been  my  privilege  to  be  associated  in  the  imperfect 
service  here.” 


The  Secretary  adds,  “A  life  so  rounded  and  complete,  so  full 
of  noble  endeavor  and  loftv  achievement  may  well  have  so 
calm  an  eventide.” 

On  Sunday,  May  iSth,  1884,  having  been  absent  from  her 
Sunday  School  for  some  time,  she  took  advantage  of  a  little 
revival  of  strength  to  go  to  her  Bible  Class.  She  had  a  mes- 
sage  for  them,  and  her  future  being  uncertain,  she  was  anxious 
to  deliver  it  then.  Returning  home  weary  and  suffering,  she 
expressed  her  satisfaction  in  having  been  to  her  class.  That 
afternoon  she  seemed  quiet  and  happy,  and  really  better.  She 
had  read  to  her  from  the  biography  of  Mrs.  Prentiss,  of  New 
York  City,  the  account  of  the  last  ten  days  of  her  life.  An 
hour  before  midnight  intense  neuralgic  pain  returned,  which 
sympathizing  friends  could  not  relieve.  They  went  to  Jesus 
in  her  behalf.  He  heard  and  came  to  her,  lifted  her  up  and  she 
was  in  heaven,  parted  indeed  from  them,  but  with  her  loved 
ones  gone  before  and  with  her  Lord. 

We  are  told  that  the  lifeless  form  was  very  beautiful,  that 
devout  men  carried  it  to  the  burial,  and  that  her  loss  will  long 
he  keenly  felt  by  her  associates,  and  by  the  people  for  whom 
she  lived.  But  her  work  goes  on  in  the  lives  and  labors  of 
others,  brought  to  Christ  through  her  efforts,  in  the  influence 
of  her  example,  in  the  answering  of  her  prayers,  in  the  vol¬ 
ume  and  tracts  she  prepared,  and  through  her  property  left  to 
the  Mission.  “So  being  dead  she  yet*speaketh.” 

In  summing  up  the  varied  positions  and  responsibilities  to 
which  Mrs.  Binney  was  called  in  life,  we  find  that  whether 
laboring  with  her  husband  in  his  country  pastorates  in  West 
Boylston  and  Southbridge,  Mass.,  and  Elmira,  N.  Y.,  or  in 
city  pastorates  in  Savannah  and  Augusta,  Ga. ;  as  wife  of  the 


26 


President  of  Columbus  College  in  Washington,  or  sharing 
the  labors  of  the  toiling  missionary  in  the  Kemendine  jungles; 
whether  an  honored  guest  for  many  weeks  in  the  beautiful 
homes  of  friends  in  her  own  land,  or  enduring  the  discomforts 
of  many  months  on  shipboard ;  whether  training  their  adopted 
son  or  teaching  and  leading  to  Christ  the  little  Karen  Ghnah- 
poo;  whether  preparing  books  for  her  students,  or  cooking  for 
her  family  and  pupils;  whether  cared  for  in  her  own  long 
illnesses,  or  for  fifteen  months  in  her  missionary  home  caring 
for  Dr.  Wade,  slowly  dying  with  cancer;  whether  saying  in 
a  large  gathering  of  Christian  women  in  Baltimore  “Let  us 
pray,”  or  leading  in  prayer  twenty  Karen  girls  in  Kodoko, 
Burma;  whether  on  the  ship  Sutlej ,  trying  to  save  a  young 
British  officer  from  himself  and  his  evil  tendencies,  or  in  Burma, 
advising  and  encouraging  young  missionaries  and  the  native 
Christian  women;  whether  with  unwearied  patience  learning 
the  Karen  language  at  Maulmain  and  Kochet-thing-ville,  or 
in  later  life,  after  the  completion  of  her  three-score  and  ten 
years,  toiling  daily  four  hours  in  completing  the  Karen  Dic¬ 
tionary;  whether  a  bride  in  Providence  at  twenty-five,  or  a 
widow  on  the  Indian  Ocean  at  sixty-nine;  in  joy  and  sorrow, 
in  the  sunlight  of  prosperity  and  in  the  dark  cloud  of  adver¬ 
sity,  in  assured  success  and  in  seeming  failure,  in  daily  com¬ 
panionship  with  her  noble  husband,  and  during  three  years 
when  two  oceans  separated  them;  in  struggling  and  in  weak¬ 
ness,  in  health  and  in  illness,  living  and  dying,  she  was  a  rep¬ 
resentative  Christian  woman,  an  inspiration  to  her  husband  as 
well  as  to  her  fellow -workers  of  two  hemispheres,  and  an  ex¬ 
ample  for  imitation,  not  only  to  those  who  read  this  sketch  but 
to  the  Christian  women  of  the  whole  world. 


27 


Action  of  the  Society. 

At  the  Semi-Annual  Meeting  of  the  W.  B.  F.  M.  S.  of  the 
West,  which  occurred  in  Chicago,  Oct.  9th,  1884,  the  following 
resolution  was  adopted. 

Resolved,  That  we  recognize  the  hand  of  God  in  the  removal  of  our  dear 
and  honored  sister,  Mrs  J.  P.  Binney,  from  the  scene  of  her  earthly  labors. 
She  died  at  Rangoon,  the  18th  of  May  last,  and  was  buried  in  the  Mission 
Cemetery,  among  the  people  for  whom  she  labored.  In  her  early  girlhood 
missions  to  the  heathen  attracted  her  attention  and  she  sought  to  enter  that 
service,  but  no  door  was  open  till  some  years  later,  when  she  sailed  with  her 
husband  for  Maulmain.  For  nearly  forty  years  she  was  a  missionary,  and 
during  Dr.  Binney ’s  lifetime  his  loving  and  efficient  helper.  Soon  after  the 
death  of  Dr.  Binney,  in  1877,  her  support  was  assumed  by  this  Society. 
During  these  six  years  she  has  been  in  labors  abundant,  besides  her  literary 
work  and  care  of  the  women  and  girls,  she  was  ever  the  trusted  adviser  of 
the  younger  missionaries  and  received  their  love  and  confidence  in  a  pre-em¬ 
inent  degree.  She  visited  America  a  few  years  ago,  and  many  will  remem¬ 
ber  her  graceful  yet  dignified  presence,  softened  by  a  saintly  gentleness  and 
refinement,  which  shone  in  her  features  and  was  perceptible  in  every  act  and 
word. 

During  the  last  two  years  of  her  life,  failing  eyesight  and  increasing 
weakness  forced  her  to  lay  by  in  a  measure  some  of  her  active  labors,  but 
faithful  unto  death,  she  retained  the  care  of  her  Bible  Class  and  some  lighter 
duties  till  the  18th  of  last  May,  when  she  was  suddenly  called  home  after 
an  illness  of  only  a  few  hours.  While  many  in  Burma  mourn  for  her  as  for 
a  mother  in  Israel,  and  while  we  feel  sensible  of  our  loss  in  being  deprived 
of  her  earnest  prayers,  and  helpful  counsel  and  kindness  to  our  missionaries 
associated  with  her,  yet  we  rejoice  that  she  was  permitted  to  give  so  many 
years  to  this  service  ;  to  present  to  the  Master  a  life  completely  rounded  out 
with  usefulness  and  good  works,  and  we  rejoice  in  the  assurance  that  she 
has  received  the  Master’s  “well  done,”  and  that  at  the  last  she  will  come 
with  many  ransomed  souls  from  Burma,  who  will  be  stars  in  the  crown  of 
her  rejoicing  forever,  and  of  whom  she  may  well  say,  “Lord  here  am  I  and 
the  children  thou  hast  given  me.” 


A  TRIBUTE 

TO  THE  MEMORY  OK 

MRS.  T.  R_  BINNEY. 


In  a  fair  New  England  village,  years  ago,  a  life  unfolded, 

Beautiful  and  pure  and  earnest,  full  of  promise,  rare  and  sweet 
Life  in  glorious  harvests  fruitful,  and  in  fairest  fashion  moulded 
For  earth’s  highest  pathways  meet. 

’Twas  a  fair  young  maiden  grew  there,  and  the  light  from  heaven  falling, 
Shone  upon  a  face  so  earnest,  on  a  heart  so  pure  and  free 
That  perchance,  the  white-winged  angels  hid  from  other  eyes,  were  calling 
Often  to  her  tenderly. 

Reading  now  her  life’s  grand  story,  with  its  high  divine  ambition, 

With  its  golden  sheaves  all  garnered  for  the  Master’s  harvest  home, 

I  have  wondered  if  her  childhood  held  not  some  dim  premonition, 

Of  the  glorious  years  to  come. 

If  some  angel  did  not  whisper  softly,  like  a  silvery  fountain 
To  her  gentle  thoughtful  spirit,  that  its  future  could  not  see, 

“Thou  shalt  publish  the  glad  tidings — beautiful  upon  the  mountain, 

Yet  thy  coming  feet  shall  be.” 

For  the  maiden  grown  to  woman,  cast  her  eyes  across  the  ocean 
Where  sad  heathen  women  sit,  by  many  an  ancient  river’s  wave, 

Heard  them  lift  their  voice  in  weeping,  and  amid  the  dread  commotion 
Heard  them  crying,  “Come  and  save!” 

But  long  years  passed  slowly  over,  till  with  joyful  consecration 
One  grand  sacrifice  of  service,  she  her  life  and  talents  made, 

As  of  old  God’s  servant  answered  in  a  voice  of  exultation 
“Here  am  I,”  she  gladly  said. 

Where  the  ancient  Indian  rivers  roll  their  waters,  mystic  flowing, 

And  the  ocean’s  purple  billows  break  upon  the  glistening  shore, 

Where  the  vast  luxuriant  jungles  with  their  stately  trees  are  growing, 

And  birds  of  radiant  plumage  soar. 


29 


There  with  firm  self-abnegation,  went  this  earnest  saintly  woman, 

With  her  noble  life-companion,  loved  and  honored  at  her  side 
Went  to  tell  how  Christ  has  lifted  from  its  lost  estate,  the  human 
For  the  human  having  died. 

There  with  tongue  and  pen  she  labored  many  years  with  zeal  unfailing, 
And  in  school  and  jungle  village,  well  her  calm  sweet  face  was  loved, 

And  in  many  a  lost  soul  rescued  her  petitions  were  availing 
And  her  high  devotion  proved. 

And  the  happy  years  of  service,  placed,  tho’  hid  from  human  vision 
On  her  brow  a  crown  more  precious  than  an  earthly  monarch’s  crown, 

And  the  prayers  of  ransomed  hundreds  lifted  from  their  sad  condition 
Rose  like  incense  to  God’s  throne. 

Rut  the  years  that  hastened  over  with  full  meed  of  benediction 
For  her  deeds  of  loving  kindness,  and  the  good  seed  broadly  sown, 
Brought  her  likewise  sore  distfesses,  and  a  grievous,  sad  aifliction. 

She  was  widowed,  and  alone. 

Still  she  toiled  with  love  unceasing,  for  the  heathen  in  their  blindness 
Tho’  the  dust  of  him  she  loved  lay  buried  ’neath  the  Indian  waves. 

And  the  ocean  was  an  emblem  to  her  of  eternal  kindness 
And  the  boundless  love  that  saves. 

And  her  golden  years  of  service  were  a  joy  and  not  a  burden. 

And  her  life  was  growing  ready  for  the  endless  years  of  rest, 

When  for  all  this  work  for  Jesus,  she  should  claim  faith’s  royal  guerdon, 
In  the  city  of  the  blest. 

Still  her  days  were  growing  brighter  now  with  more  than  earthly  splendor, 
And  the  heavenly  morn  was  breaking,  sunlit,  cloudless,  clear  and  fair, 

Like  the  beauty  of  a  sunrise — like  an  anthem  soft  and  tender, 

Like  the  hush  before  a  prayer. 

Yet  they  did  not  see  the  angel  in  the  quiet  household  walking, 

Did  not  know  the  awful  presence  in  this  holy  woman’s  home — 

That  she  with  this  dread  veiled  angel,  calmly,  trustfully  was  talking, 

Did  not  hear  his  summons,  “Come!  ” 

Yet  she  said,  in  heavenly  visions  even  then  perhaps  descrying, 

The  fair  outlines  of  that  city — earthly  outlines  growing  dim, 

“Glad  I  am  to  go  to  Jesus,  I  am  very  glad  of  dying, 

For  I  long  to  be  with  Him.” 


After  months  of  pain  and  anguish  came  a  Sabbath  day  whose  dawning 
Was  prophetic  of  the  dawning  of  the  glad  eternal  years, 

Of  the  brighter  cloudless  daybreak,  of  the  long  sweet  Sabbath  morning 
When  God  “wipes  away  all  tears.” 

To  the  summons  she  made  answer,  past  all  human  care  and  fearing 
With  the  splendor  of  God’s  presence  shining  on  her  even  now, 

Now  the  rapture  and  the  glory,  at  His  courts  her  soul  appearing, 

Now  the  crown  upon  her  brow. 

On  her  grave  in  that  far  country,  stately  tropic  trees  are  throwing 
Their  deep  shadows  in  the  noontide,  their  dim  shadows  in  the  night, 
Over  it,  the  gentle  breezes,  fragrant  tropic  breezes  blowing, 

Linger  lovingly  and  light. 

O  the  sorrow  and  the  loneness  on  the  earthly  home  descending! 

O  the  wail  of  human  grieving  that  refuses  yet  to  cease! 

Aye!  but  in  the  heavenly  singing,  one  new  voice  is  sweetly  blending, 

O  the  joy,  and  O  the  peace! 

Ended  now  her  earthly  journey,  and  fulfilled  her  holy  mission, 

And  the  cloudless  sunlight  streaming  now  forever  on  her  way, 

Now  those  forty  years  of  service  have  eternal  glad  fruition 
In  the  everlasting  day. 


M.  G.  C. 


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